Preview: First Romanian Film Festival of Chicago

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Probably the most stirring and unlikely of emerging national cinemas today is from Romania, with the Cannes-prized “Death of Mr. Lazarescu” and “12:08 East of Bucharest” both drawing U.S. release (and Chicago runs). As the home of the second largest Romanian-American population, Chicago’s getting a Romanian Film festival, featuring “Occident,” the first feature by Christian Mungiu, whose “Four Months, Two Weeks and One Day” is that country’s 2007 Foreign Language Film Oscar entry, and one of the most remarkable movies of the year as well. “12:08” director Cristi Puiu’s “Stuff and Dough” and Nae Caranfil’s black comedy “Philanthropy” are among the other attractions, including short work. (Ray Pride)